Short overview on Goldsmith's She Stoop to Conquer.
Introduction
Oliver Goldsmith's, "She Stoops to Conquer" or "The Mistakes of a Night" is a play of mistaken identities, practical jokes, and plots-within-plots. Centres on the spirited Kate Hardcastle's attempts to win over the rich but socially inept young aristocrat Charles Marlow by pretending to be a barmaid.
Background
She Stoops to ConqueThe play was first performed at Covent Garden on 15 March 1773. One of the eighteenth-century’s most enduring comedies, It takes a comedic, often farcical, look at the behavior and marital expectations of the upper classes in England at this time. It draws on many of the conventions and character-types of Shakespearean comedy.
Overview
Mr Hardcastle, a country gentleman, has two children, Kate from his first marriage and a stepson Tony Lumpkin, the boorish son of his second wife, the domineering Mrs Hardcastle. Hardcastle has arranged for his daughter to marry Young Marlow, while Mrs Hardcastle wants Tony to marry Constance, Kate's cousin, so as to keep Constance's jewels in the family. The Hardcastle family are momentarily expecting the arrival of young Marlow and his friend, Hastings.
The approaching travellers stop at the village inn to inquire their way. Tony Lumpkin, persuading the young men that they have lost their way and will have to spend the night at an inn. He directs them to the Hardcastle house. Thus, when Marlow and Hastings arrive, Marlow treats the Hardcastle family with impudence and disrespect, falsely believing them to be servants there. When introduced to Kate young Marlow can find little to say and stumbles over that. In his embarrassment he never once looks at her face. Later in the evening when he sees her going about the house in the plain house dress her father insists on, he takes her for the bar maid. She encourages the deception in order to find out if he is really as witless as he seems.
In order to get to the bottom of his true character, Kate disguises herself as a maid and comedy ensues as Marlow makes love to the “maid” and disregards her father. Meanwhile, George Hastings is thrilled to find his true love, Constance Neville, living at the Hardcastle’s house. Tony’s attempts to help Constance and her lover elope with her casket of jewels. When through ludicrous misunderstandings these come to naught, When Marlow's father has arrived, and the mistake is explained. Enlightened by Kate's explanation, Hardcastle gives his blessing to her marriage to Marlow, and the now chastened Mrs Hardcastle agrees to let Constance marry Hastings.
Introduction
Oliver Goldsmith's, "She Stoops to Conquer" or "The Mistakes of a Night" is a play of mistaken identities, practical jokes, and plots-within-plots. Centres on the spirited Kate Hardcastle's attempts to win over the rich but socially inept young aristocrat Charles Marlow by pretending to be a barmaid.
Background
She Stoops to ConqueThe play was first performed at Covent Garden on 15 March 1773. One of the eighteenth-century’s most enduring comedies, It takes a comedic, often farcical, look at the behavior and marital expectations of the upper classes in England at this time. It draws on many of the conventions and character-types of Shakespearean comedy.
Overview
Mr Hardcastle, a country gentleman, has two children, Kate from his first marriage and a stepson Tony Lumpkin, the boorish son of his second wife, the domineering Mrs Hardcastle. Hardcastle has arranged for his daughter to marry Young Marlow, while Mrs Hardcastle wants Tony to marry Constance, Kate's cousin, so as to keep Constance's jewels in the family. The Hardcastle family are momentarily expecting the arrival of young Marlow and his friend, Hastings.
The approaching travellers stop at the village inn to inquire their way. Tony Lumpkin, persuading the young men that they have lost their way and will have to spend the night at an inn. He directs them to the Hardcastle house. Thus, when Marlow and Hastings arrive, Marlow treats the Hardcastle family with impudence and disrespect, falsely believing them to be servants there. When introduced to Kate young Marlow can find little to say and stumbles over that. In his embarrassment he never once looks at her face. Later in the evening when he sees her going about the house in the plain house dress her father insists on, he takes her for the bar maid. She encourages the deception in order to find out if he is really as witless as he seems.
In order to get to the bottom of his true character, Kate disguises herself as a maid and comedy ensues as Marlow makes love to the “maid” and disregards her father. Meanwhile, George Hastings is thrilled to find his true love, Constance Neville, living at the Hardcastle’s house. Tony’s attempts to help Constance and her lover elope with her casket of jewels. When through ludicrous misunderstandings these come to naught, When Marlow's father has arrived, and the mistake is explained. Enlightened by Kate's explanation, Hardcastle gives his blessing to her marriage to Marlow, and the now chastened Mrs Hardcastle agrees to let Constance marry Hastings.
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